Biden Cancels Student Loan Debt, Extends Repayment Pause, Announces Reforms for Future Repayments |Tens of millions of Americans received life-changing news on Wednesday, as President Joe Biden finally announced his plan to cancel federal student loan debt, extend the moratorium on student loan payments again, and make systemic changes to ensure future repayment terms are far more fair for low- and middle-income borrowers. (via The Keystone)
Student loan forgiveness could wipe out $26B in debt in New Jersey and Pennsylvania | President Joe Biden’s new initiatives to ease federal student debt burdens nationwide would help hundreds of thousands of borrowers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. (via The Philadelphia Inquirer)
Advocates say constitutional change targets pollution regs, greenhouse gas reduction plan |Environmental activists and advocates say that part of a proposed constitutional amendment package could roll back environmental protection regulations, pollution reduction efforts, and initiatives aimed at combating climate change in Pennsylvania. (via Pennsylvania Capital-Star)
Josh Shapiro, Doug Mastriano race for Pa. governor puts partisan divide in clear view | Circling the state just three months before the November election, Democrat Josh Shapiro and Republican Doug Mastriano — gubernatorial contenders hoping to take over for Gov. Tom Wolf — agree on one thing: The stakes are higher than ever, and they — not their opponent — can meet this crucial moment in Pennsylvania’s history. (via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Battle over ballot drop boxes in Luzerne County | A meeting that began Tuesday night at 5:30 p.m. lasted hours longer than anticipated, with dozens of citizens and council members weighing in on the future of ballot drop boxes in Luzerne County. Luzerne County Council member Stephen Urban proposed an ordinance that, if passed, would prohibit the county from paying to put drop boxes in place. (via WNEP News)
Progressive think tank offers blueprint for ‘shared prosperity’ in Pennsylvania | Researchers at a progressive Pennsylvania think tank unveiled a blueprint that they say will help make the commonwealth’s economy more worker-friendly – but only if state lawmakers and the next governor actually act on their recommendations. (via City and State Pennsylvania)
Key Pa. Democrats speak ahead of Biden’s remarks | Four key Democrats led off the remarks at Wilkes University this afternoon ahead of today’s speech by President Joe Biden. Gov. Tom Wolf took the stage first, followed by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, Rep. Matt Cartwright and Senator Bob Casey. (via Times Leader)